They brought out processions in the capital and held rallies at Muktangon and other places to demand immediate withdrawal of the coalition troops from Iraq and trial of the US president and British prime minister as 'war criminals'.

Some left-leaning parties also accused the ruling alliance in Bangladesh and 'pro-alliance elite' of supporting the invasion and occupation of Iraq by not protesting or condemning these.

Expressing solidarity with the Iraqi people, the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesh Workers' Party (BWP), Jatiya Samaj-tantrik Dal (JSD) and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) held rallies in front of their offices. Later they brought out processions chanting slogans like 'Quit Iraq' and joined other protestors at Muktangon.

Addressing the CPB rally, party General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim called the US president the top terrorist in the world and said, "The invasion and occupation of Iraq has made the world more insecure."

The ruling BNP is not protesting the US action for fear of being thrown out of power with US backing and the main opposition Awami League is also keeping mum fearing loss of Anglo-US support, he said.

BSD Convenor Khalequzzaman said at the party rally the US forces during their one-year occupation have killed 60 thousand Iraqi.

The BWP condemned the "genocide in Iraq by the Anglo-US alliance."

Some other parties and combines including Jatiya Gano Front, Biplobi Oikya Front, Ganotantrik Mojdur Party, Ganoshanghati Andolon, National Democratic Front and Jatiya Janata Party also held protest rallies at Muktangon. Gano Sangskritik Front presented songs protesting the US action.